Education Pathways - University Neighborhood Partners

In this issue

Strategic Priority 3: Enhance opportunities for people to achieve their goals and contribute to community through diverse, equitable, culturally responsive, and transformative educational pathways.

Lifelong Education: Support education institutions and community groups in creating and connecting learning opportunities, through which individuals of all ages can define and further personal, professional, and community goals.

Decreasing Barriers to Education: Strengthen hubs and networks — in our neighborhoods and at the University — through which partners can collaboratively address the multi-level barriers people face to accessing educational opportunities.

Mutual Learning: Increase opportunities for postsecondary students and educators to collaborate with preK-12 students and educators in mutual learning, inspiration, and empowerment.

Family-School Collaboration: Strengthen the capacities of families and educational institutions to build trusting relationships with one another, and create opportunities for collaboration.

A Letter for UNP

By: Viviana Montaño, UCAN Member and Assistant for the UNP Partnership Course

I have had the pleasure of being part of the University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) network with my work in the Utah Community Advocate Network for 10 years and most recently as the Teaching Assistant for the UNP Partnership Curriculum Course. Both of these groups have allowed me to grow a deeper connection with my community and learn more about partnership work, especially pertaining to their Education Pathways.

Through the partnerships within UNP, I have seen my children grow as individuals involved in the community. They have been involved in the Hartland Community 4 Youth & Family activities, She Jumps workshops, and as a volunteer during the Partners in the Park events. I have learned about the rights my children have in schools and ways I can advocate for them, like speaking up in community council meetings. Then, sharing this information and resources with other mothers and parents in the community.

The Utah Community Advocate Network (UCAN) is a parent group that addresses the questions and concerns of families that make up the Salt Lake City’s west side schools. First, with navigating the school system, then, attending courses in Glendale taught by University of Utah professors and putting those new found skills into practice to become an active advocate. Our group also understands the importance of service whether that is through providing homework help at the Youth Center, volunteering for the Partners in the Park summer events, or anything else that arises.

Community groups like UCAN create opportunities for people like me to tap into leadership skills and interests I wouldn’t have had known otherwise. I was introduced to Kimberly, Facilitator of the UNP Course, through Alma, Ed Pathways Partnership Manager, first as a student of the Partnership Course. When my cohort ended, I reached out to know if there were other ways to still be involved with the class.

My time with the course has shown me that no matter the title we hold we are all joined by the same cause, to create a po

sitive change in our community. A quote I like to remind myself by Albert Einstein goes, “We are all very ignorant. What happens is that not all ignore the same things.” Even though I had some doubts with my leadership abilities and English-speaking skills I prevailed with the support of my peers. All of this to say that UNP is a champion at connecting people with the right resources needed to enhance our community.

Best,

Viviana Montaño

Steps Toward a High School in Glendale

By: Ed Pathways team members, Alma Yanagui & Jorge Jimenez

The Utah Community Advocate Network (UCAN) aims to increase engagement in schools, to promote wellbeing, and pathways to higher education for families on the west side. They do this through collaborative partnerships with families, school staff and administrators, and other partners, with community members in leadership roles.

UCAN has spent the last year working with Glendale parents and students who would like to see a high school in their neighborhood. During this time, there have been many meetings and conversations at the Board of Education, with community councils, and with Salt Lake School District Superintendent, Elizabeth Grant.
To illustrate their plea, the group organized a walk out from East High School to Glendale Middle School. They invited decision-makers to join the walk that students take to and from school each day. The walk out took place on May 28 at 3:00 pm. Community members took down names for their petition, and connected with those interested in getting more involved. This historic event was created to support better access to education for west side students.

In the last year UCAN has continued to work to try and address the inequity that students on the west side experience. They have continued to host meetings for community members and stakeholders to strategize how to move forward. There was a loss in momentum when the SLCSD met with UCAN and informed them that a Westside High School would not be included in the bond proposal that was to be on the ballot in November of 2024. There was a further loss of engagement when the ballot made it through, making it clear that there would not be funding from the school district for a school in the community.

Even with those setbacks, the community has decided to continue to push forward, now focusing on building a charter school to address the community needs. UCAN has met with leaders in local charter schools to learn from their experiences as well as institutional leaders at Granite School District and the University of Utah to best address community needs. The challenge is arduous and ongoing but UCAN continues to work towards a better future for the community.

In the News

*Photo by Maya Fraser, Daily Utah Chronicle*

Kate Brague, with the Daily Utah Chronicle, sat with Ed Pathways team member, Jorge Jimenez, explaining the historical backgrounds of closing high schools in Utah and the transportaion issue for current west side students attending East High.

Eric Cabrera, with KSL News, reported about the 30 Glendale residents that walked from East High to Glendale Middle School.

*Photo by Francisco Kjolseth, The Salt Lake Tribune*

Russell Askren wrote into the SL Tribune to discuss the massive $730 million bond that was approved by voters in the most recent general election.

Hartland Youth Center

By: 2024 Youth Center team members, Jasmine Montoya, Freda Sauni and Vianka Bermudez

Family Nights were reintroduced in 2024! Family members of Youth Center participants are invited to join and engage in the welcoming space their children experience 15 hours a week, after school. We bring together families through music, food, and activities like arts and crafts or combining efforts with partners, such as Hawkwatch International, so parents can enjoy learning alongside their children. We encourage partners and UNP staff alike to come get to know the families and meet the faces of our Hartland community. It brings a human touch to these gatherings, as a more holistic approach. Home Visits are one of the most important tasks we do at the Youth Center. Visits tend to be about filling in or updating registration information for the Youth Center. However, it also gives us a chance to meet with parents and guardians of youth one on one, in a relaxed setting to build stronger, sustainable relationships.

The Mundi Project, a local organization committed to creating access to music across the state of Utah, has partnered with the Youth Center to provide biweekly piano classes with instructors, Nikki Numkena and Charlotte Fife-Jepperson. Instructors work with two groups of youth ages 9-11 and another ages 12+ as they teach youth the basics like understanding the keyboard and how to read music. At the end of each semester youth showcase their newfound knowledge and skills to perform in front of their peers, parents, and UNP staff.

Every spring the UNP Hartland Partnership Center puts together a Hartland Spring Festival, hosted and planned by the Hartland Resident Committee. This past year the Youth Center put on their first performance at the Spring Festival! Two dances were taught by the lovely Youth Center Assistant, Freda Sauni and a “dance-like fight” was taught by the man the myth the legend, Mestre Jamaika from Salt Lake Capoeira. Freda taught the youth a traditional Samoan dance as well as bringing in traditional wear for the youth. Rain or shine the youth and Youth Center staff performed barefoot outside in front of parents, grandmothers, UNP Staff and all attending community members.

Thank you to our partners: Bad Dog Arts, Food Justice Coalition, Harland Community 4 Youth and Family, Hawkwatch International, MSW Interns, Pushing Ahead, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Science in the Parks, SL Capoeira, Spy Hop, University of Utah College of Fine Arts, and University of Utah College of Social Work Master’s students.